AN ACT to amend the law specifying the type of pistols that may be used for hunting.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 113‑291.1 reads as rewritten:
"(g)	If a season is open permitting such method of taking for the species in question, a hunter may take rabbits, squirrels, opossum, raccoons, fur‑bearing animals, and nongame animals and birds open to hunting with a pistol of .22 caliber with a barrel not less than  five and 
one-half inches in length. In addition, a hunter or trapper lawfully taking a wild animal or wild bird by another lawful method may use a knife, pistol, or other swift method of killing the animal or bird taken. The Wildlife Resources Commission may, however, restrict or prohibit the carrying of firearms during special seasons or in special areas reserved for the taking of wildlife with primitive weapons or other restricted methods."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2003.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 27th day of May, 2003.

	s/	 Marc Basnight
	 President Pro Tempore of the Senate

	s/	 Richard T. Morgan
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Michael F. Easley
	 Governor

Approved 12:42 p.m. this 5th day of June, 2003